College of Arts and Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
APPLICATION FOR LIBERAL STUDIES (rev August 2016)
The Liberal Studies Program is designed for the student who wishes to develop and plan an
interdisciplinary course of study that explores a particular problem or theme through a multi-disciplinary
constellation of courses, enhances critical thinking with ethical thought, develops problem-solving skills,
and creates well-informed, responsible and engaged global citizens. The B.A. in Liberal Studies creates
an academically sound and rigorous interdisciplinary course of study with thematic integrity and
continuity.
Requirements and Instructions:
Any student in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or better) may apply for admission to the B. A. in
Liberal Studies program. At the time that the degree proposal is submitted to the Liberal Studies Program
coordinator, a student generally has at least 21 more credits of course work still to undertake in the B. A.
in Liberal Studies beginning with the subsequent semester or term.
An eligible student may apply for admission to the Program by completing an application form on
which the following must be included:
1) a statement addressing the student’s educational goals as embodied in the proposal for a
Liberal Studies major-equivalent;
2) an explanation of why these goals cannot be achieved through an existing major program at
UHH;
3) a Student Learning Outcomes statement;
4) a justification of the courses that will comprise the B.A. in Liberal Studies, which have a
minimum of 33 semester hours, of which at least 24 hours must be in upper-division courses.
5) a list of courses that will comprise the major-equivalent, which total a minimum of 33 credits,
of which at least 24 credits must be in upper-division courses.
The student will select a faculty advisor from among UH Hilo faculty, who will work with the student to
design the program of courses, write a Student Learning Outcomes statement and provide a memo
endorsing the academic rigor and coherence of the proposed program of courses. The Faculty Advisor
must append a letter attesting to the academic quality of the proposed program and the ability of the
student to complete the program.
University regulations applying to prerequisites and graduation requirements, including requirements for
GE, WI, and H/A/P and the requirement that students complete 45 upper-division credits (check:
https://hilo.hawaii.edu/catalog/upper-division-requirement for detail) and a total of 120 semester credits,
apply to all students at UH Hilo, including those with approved Liberal Studies major-equivalents.
The student must meet with the Liberal Studies Coordinator before preparing the form. Please contact
Yoshiko Fukushima (yf83@hawaii.edu). NOTES: Liberal Studies: Health Care Administration
applicants, please meet the LS: HCA Faculty Advisor Rachel Loo (at loorache@hawaii.edu) before you
submit the form to the following approvers.
The application form, with attached Degree Plan Appendix, and the Transcript must be approved by the
Faculty Advisor, the Liberal Studies Coordinator, and the CAS Faculty Senate Standing Committee –
Curriculum Review Committee.
Deadlines: November 1 for the following Fall Semester or April 1 for the following Spring Semester
